Situation Report: The Niger Delta Crisis and its Implications for Nigeria's 2007 elections, Dr Ike Okonta

Nigeria, which returned to civilian government in May 1999 after three decades of military rule, will conduct another round of elections for state governors and legislators on 14 April. Presidential and Federal Legislative elections will be held on 21 April. If fair and orderly, this event will mark the third successive time elections have held without a break in Africa’s most populous country. More importantly, it will be the first successful transfer of power from one elected government to another since independence in 1960. Previous attempts in 1964 and 1983 had been marred by widespread poll rigging, election-related violence, and bickering among the politicians, obliging the armed forces to seize power.